To mark the 50th anniversary of Mali's independence, National Park of Mali in Bamako was refurbished and reopened with the addition of several new amenities. The park covers 103 hectares within a 2,100-hectare reserve of protected forest, which acts as an important green belt for the fast-growing capital. As part of the first phase of this ambitious project, Kere Architecture was invited to design interventions throughout the park, including points of entry, a youth sports center, a restaurant, public toilets, and kiosks. All buildings are externally clad with natural stone from the region, reinforcing local cultural heritage while cutting construction costs. By creating a thermal mass, the stone walls help to balance the interior climate of the buildings, while large overhanging roofs offer generous shaded spaces around the perimeter of the buildings and allow for natural ventilation. The buildings are designed to rely entirely on their passive cooling systems, although certain buildings offer the option of sealing their roof vents in order to operate with air-conditioning. Aiming to take full advantage of the spectacular views over the park and nearby lake, the restaurant sits on a rock formation, nestling on different levels that reflect the natural contours. All the buildings in the scheme are linked by a pedestrian network, which also connects with the National Museum, as well as various natural attractions. To create a sense of unity between the interventions spread throughout the park, the buildings all express the same architectural language.
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